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While running 12th he was passed by McLaren team-mate Jenson Button in the closing stages which prompted him to pit for fresh super-softs for a final three-lap dash to set the fastest lap of the race, a 1m 25.340s, to produce the first Honda-powered lap record since Ayrton Senna at the 1992 Portuguese GP.

"It was a good feeling [the fastest lap]," Alonso said. "We had new tyres at the end and the last two laps we maximised the grip, but it doesn't change too much because it was a circuit that we weren't competitive. But it was a good sign that the car was performing well."

Taking this heightened performance Alonso has reassessed McLaren's targets and realistically feels he can battle inside the top ten at every race for the remainder of 2016.

"From Singapore onwards I think we should be in the points regularly," he said. "Some races like Abu Dhabi and Austin we can be in the top five fighting with Ferrari so good times are coming."